GM has announced that it will be offering 4G mobile internet access inside most of its 2015 model year vehicles. GM CEO Dan Akerson believes that cars and trucks will be the next major technology platform, as witnessed by the explosion of in-car technology over the past decade (for better or worse).

GM's intentions are to leverage its OnStar unit and 4G LTE mobile broadband hardware to offer more connected services to drivers. GM points to the fact that the average person in the U.S. uses a smartphone or tablet for over 2 1/2 hours each day while averaging about 15 hours per week as a passenger or driver of the car.

“Marry the two and you have a megatrend that we intend to harness for competitive advantage,” Akerson told the Chief Executives’ Club of Boston.

2015 model year GM vehicles offering integrated 4G mobile internet access are expected to be sold in the U.S. and Canada starting in mid-2014, and eventually around the world.

“People want connectivity to keep them out of accidents and traffic jams, keep their cars from breaking down an keep their kids entertained — or at least occupied,” Akerson said in the remarks.

Akerson also went on to explain that he hopes that this global rollout will help cut down on distracted driving. “To me, there is nothing scarier than a texting driver looking down at his handset,” said Akerson. “But if done right, technology can actually be part of the solution to keeping drivers’ eyes on the road.”

Akerson may be right that technology may help keep your eyes on the road, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into being a safer driver according to recent studies.

Internet in car's ? Hope they install a parked "ON" driving "disable" feature to cell phones and these kinds of agendas for cars.

Need to keep peoples focus on the road in front of them not browsing while driving. All those new LCD screens in cars with readable type-able inputs means more eyes looking down at dash vs traffic = more accidents.

Same as texting and driving, all those new LCD screens in cars means you need to "READ" inside car while driving = BAD ACCIDENTS.

Look for yourself spend few days look at cars near by take a general head count of all the people driving right next to you, that are on their phones the wrong way. Then one day when one of the hits you, a family member or friend gets killed, sit in apathy cant complain one bit because today you did nothing to stop it.

"We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk." -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs